Bookholder



Oct. 7, 1952 w POLLARD 2,612,721

BOOKHOLDER Filed Dec. 20, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 7, 1952 w. 1.. POLLARD 2,612,721

BOOKHOLDER Filed Dec. 20, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

i zdzwz /az 724%2MW44 1 Patented Oct. 7, 1952 BOOKHOLDQER I Willard L. Pollard, Evanston, I11. I Application December 20, 1946, Serial No. 711,336

1 Claim.

My invention relates to bookholders.

This application is a continuation in part of my copendin application Serial No. 531,403, filed April 17, 1944, now abandoned.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved bookholder construction in which the bookholder is mounted on a table and movable from a lowered position in which it serves as a book receptacleto a raised position for holding the book in position to be read.

A further object is to provide such a construction in which the 'bookholder per se can be readily detached from the table and supported on the lap.

A further object is to provide a construction in which the bookholder is mounted on a slide under the table top so that the slide can be drawn outwardly to expose a receptacle.

A further object of my-invention is to provide an improved bookholder which can be drawn up to a chair so as to hold-the book in proper position'with respect to one sitting in the chair.

A 'further object is, to provide an improved bookholder having a flexible jstrap support for resting on the lap of the user. I

A further object of my invention is to provide a bookholder having means for holding a plurality of books in shelved position and also for holding a book in readable position.

A further object'is to provide a bookholderfor holding a plurality of books in inclined stacked position.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and claim.

In the drawings, in which two forms of invention are shown, Figure Us a perspective view table and bookholder; v

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 1, showing the bookholcler in raised position; i

, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing another form of bookholder;

Fig. dis a cross-sectional view substantially on the lined-4 of Fig. 3;'

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing another form of bookholder; Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the table top with a book receptacle and book support thereof a combination table, the bookholding support 'lsecured to these v n. 2 Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the book support of Fig. 5 mounted on a, lap-supported holder;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another form of. table and book receptacle and holder showing its position with respect to the chair in which the.

reader sits;

Fig. 9 is aside elevational view showing an other form of book receptacle and holder mounted on a table;

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view showing the book receptacle and holder of Fig. 8 mounted on a table; 7

Fig. 11 is a side elevational View showing a somewhat difierent form of book receptacle and holder mounted on a table;

Fig. 12 shows the. receptacle and holderof Fig.

11 in a different position; i

Fig. 13 shows thereceptacle and holder of Fig. 11 in still another position;

Fig. 14 shows still another position of the receptacle and holder QfFig. 11;

Fig. 15 shows this holder and receptacle in. position on the lapof the reader;

Fig. 16 is an elevational view showing the combination of table, lamp and bookholder;

.Fig. 17 is a view from the left of Fig. is, the

bookholder being omitted;

Fig. 18 is a bottom view showing the base of the lamp and table;f

Fig. .19 is a side elevational view showing still another form of. receptacle and holder in com bination with a table;

Fig. 20 shows the holder of Fig.1!) in positionto hold a book in reading position;

Fig'o21 is a perspective viewshowing an'ad justable book-supporting'table; and v j Fig. 22 section substantially-on the line 22' 22 of Fig. 21. I. Referring first toFigs. 1 and 2; the construction shown therein comprises a table havingfli shaped legs land a table top 2, and" a combinaf tion book receptacle and bookholder 3 pivotally mounted at l on the side pieces-5 of the table." The bookrecept'acle and holder 3 comprises the" end pieces =6'which are'pivotally secured to the end pieces 6,.thestrip 8 forming thebottomof the book receptacle and the front paneliorming the front of the book pocket. H .;In order to hold the book I0 in various posiclamping nuts 25.

, thumb and fingers.

tions of adjustment as shown in Fig. 2, a number of book rests H and I2 are provided on any one of which the lower edge of the book may be placed when in raised position.

Any suitable materials may be used in the construction, such as wood, plastic, metal, or the like.

, In use, when the bookholder is in the position shown in Fig. l, the book may be placed in the book pocket and the table may be used as an ordinary table. When the bookholder is raised to the position shown in Fig. 2, it may be drawn up to a chair and the bookholder may be raised to the position shown to support the book 10 in any one of a-number of positions on the shelves II and I2.

The construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is quite 3 similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 except that here the bookholder 3 is pivotally secured at'dto" slides l3 which are mounted to slide'on guides-l4 4 extending inwardly from the sides 5 of the table,

a pair of lap straps l5 are secured to the lower edges of the slides 13, and that the two slides -13 are secured together andheld in proper spaced relation by means of a drawer or receptacle l6.

Infthis form the table-may be'used justasfin the construction shown in-Figs. 1 and-2 and;1-i n addition, the slides l3 may be withdrawn from the-table andthe-bookholderper se-may be used as a-lapbookholderby res'ting'the straps IE on the lap, the bookholder being swung upwardly The to the relative position shown in Fig. 2. slides l3- enable'the-reader to make a fore-andaft adjustment of thebookholder 3 with respect to the table to secure the desired reading position.

The construction'show-n in Fig. 5 comprises a table lfia havin'g a base i l-extending forwardly from the upright post l8 and a unitary bookra'ck 1'9 and tabletop 20=verticallyadjustableonthis post. The tableextends forwardly from-the post so as to be in position 'abbve the lap of'a reader seated in a chair. The table top-may comprise a glass panel 2| set a' :g'rooved rectangular frame '22. i I

This glass panel 2 I enablesthe'user to-placehis hand in proper positionion effecting'the raising and lowering of the table-top. For guiding the table top in its up-ahdidbwnmovement, apair lap of the reader adjacent the knees, a second rear pair of sloping lap-engagingdegaiifi and connecting blocks 31*spaced1froni' the'ifirst pair of legs for engaging the lap of the wearer remote from the knees, and a longitudinally-extending connecting strip 38 for securing two connecting blocksand 31 together.

In use, the rear crosspiece 28 of the holder rests on the connecting strip 38 and the ends of the side bars 30' rest on the horizontally-extending connecting block 2'! connecting the two legs.

of cleats 22 are-secured to the uprightboard 23, i

one on each side of the; post 18, and a clamping strip 24 extends between these' guide strips andis adjustably secured 'thereto 'by means: of boltsand In order to facilitate raising the table, a thumb notch-:26- is placed in the top of the post [8. With this construction,by placing the thumb in the thumb notch 26 and .the fingers underneath the clamping strip '24 and loosening up the clamping nuts 2'5,.:.the'tablentop may be readily raised by'a'g'ripping action of the The book receptacle and holder 21-, as shown,

may be made of wood comprising. ,a-pair of cross,

pieces 28 and 29 :for resting on the-glass 21, a pair of longitudinally-extending barsjiIiO-securd to and connecting these crosspieces and-aiplurality of bookback engaging uprightss3l-gsecured tothe rearcrosspiece 281 The height of'each of these uprights issuch' that it will-hold the book opento the right extent for easy reading. In

'order'to .securether-ighttilt to the' book, the side bars 30 may be provided withrnotches :32 which willengage the lower edgesuofthe: covers of the book. The central cover connecting portion of the book may rest on the'table' top. -'-With-thi;s

construction a numberof-"book's-"n'iay be-placed with: their lower 'edg'es 'down and resting onthe Figs.'6 and 9 show a somewhat different form of bookholder 39 which may be used with the table shown'in Fig. :5. This form of.holder may, if desired, be fo'rme'dnf sheet thermoplasticmaterial having aisideelevation as shown in Fig. 9 such that a stack of books MLmay be placed on they lower inclined shelf-portion H1- and lean back against the rear sloping wall.4-2"of the holder. The shelf 4| is long enough-to:a'ccommodate at least two books, each having a. thickness, of one inchand preferably ja-greater number. The front part of the holder 43 extends upwardlyandrhas its-upperedge-of a wide M shape 8 ,t'44'.t0"hO1d the book openingthe rightfposition; for reading. As shown in Fig. 6 the bottom'edgesof thebook covers may rest on the side portions of; the .-'rectangular frame .45, the central back-portion of the ,book restingon the depressed glassportion ZI-ofthetabletop. V 1 r 3 The bookholderAl-of Figs. and 10 also may be made of sheet plastic, if desired, shaped to provide a sloping shelf 48l f or the'l'ower edges of the bookcovers and-aslopingi-rear support lll for the rearmost book,.-thus;holding a stack of books in inclined stacked pos'it'ion- The fr'ont 5010f the holderlis shaped" to provide a support'for the covers of a'book 'forIhoIding. it is open inclined readable position 'Ia'ndi .a forwardlyeextending 1loedge 5! for the lowered'gesof the covers .ofthe The table shown in:Fi-g-. '8' 'compri'sesa support-.

ing frame of bent rod or tubinghaving floor-engaging. 'feet 52 close". enough" together 't'ol eziter between the front legs'ts "of a'chair and aU1- shaped table top supporting frame 54. The table top 55may be of transpar nt sheet thermoplastic material having its 'edges'bentor curled about'thje H The central portion of thetop may bedepre'ssed below'the upper edge of the curled portions5 so thatitliese upstanding curled edges serve to l'iin'derthe' bookhol'der 4'! from slipping. off the .table-...tQD.Z, These curled edges alsos'erve to-guide the vb ookl' older. to enable the reader to slide it fore and aft on-uthe table top and to :hold it in substantial,- alignment-:on the p- 1 .f; Figs-. -11-15, inclusive showvfive different; uses of a combination bOOKIaQKTZZ'Hd -b00kh01d8l" 5:7. This holder may bemadeiofi threecpieces of .wood, or other suitable material, 58;:159E a'nd 60, secured togeth r-as shown Fig." 1-1 shows th'e' hold'er p'osition tc support a stack of books 40 in inclined shelved position aei'gm and s' owe a book supported'in" readable position by the-front'fifl of the holder.

As shown in Figs. 9, l'fl f-ahdf i, the holders comprise two cantilever beam 'members d-l and 42 0f Fig. 9, as and 4a of Figand star ets of-Fig'. '11, extending substantiallyat rigl tian'gles with; respect to each other having-"booksupporhing surfaces, one of which surfaces has extent asto be engageableby the' edge covers of a plurality of books placed ther the other 'of which hasari e'xtent-such engageable by the cover of the -rea'r booka support the books in upwardly and rearwardly extending position, said cantilever beams being rigidly united with respect to each other, whereby they act as a lever of the first class for engaging a flat horizontal support adjacent their union as a fulcrum, for transmitting the gravitational force exerted as a downward pressure by the lower edges of the books on the book edge supporting surface, to act as a force exerting forward pressure from the other beam on the cover of the rear book.

Fig. 12 shows the holder in a different position, upside down, with a book supported in reading position by the section 58.

Fig. 13 shows the holder reversed, end for end, from the position shown in Fig. 11, with a book held in reading position by the engagement of its covers with the section 59. The front edge of the book is held against slipping by therim 6! of the table top which extends above the central portion.

Fig. 14 shows a booksupported in reading position by means of the section 59, the lower edges of the book covers resting on the section 58.

Fig. 15 shows the bookholder in position on the lap of a reader, seated in the chair-BZjwith the book 40 supported in open reading position by means of the section'58, the lower edge of the sections 59 and B0 resting on the lap of the reader. 1

Figs. 16, 1'7 and 18 show a combination of lamp, table and bookholder. The lamp has a pedestal comprising a base portion 63 and a pair of uprights 64 mounted on the base portion on the upper part of which the lamp and shade 65 are mounted. The table is vertically adjustable on the uprights somewhat in the manner shown in Fig. 5. The bookholder shown is the same as that shown in Fig. 9.

Figs. 19 and 20 show a holder 66 which might be suitable for holding magazines 61 as shown in Fig. 19 but which may be laid over on its side on the table 68 to hold a book or magazine in reading position. This form also may be made of sheet plastic if desired.

Figs. 21 and 22 show a table in which the table top 69 on which the bookholder rests is mounted for up-and-down adjustment, as in the construction of Fig. 5. The construction shown comprises a supporting frame 10 formed in general of bent rod or tubing shaped to provide two looped floor-engaging portions H and two upright legs 12 and 13, each comprising a pair of upright leg portions 14 and 15 extending upwardly from the U-shaped foot portions on which the book-supporting table top and bookrack 16 are mounted for up-and-down adjustment. One upright 14 of each of the legs is shorter than, the otherl5, the vertically adjustable table top and rack being slidable up and down on that part of the longer upright 15 which extends above the shorter upright 14.

In order to limit the downward movement of the-table top and rack is and to hold the legs in proper relativeposition, a cross'piece ll of .wood' or suitable material extendsbetween the two pairs of uprights and is firmly secured to all four of the-uprights as shownin Fig. 22.

The table top comprises a rectangular frame 18 in which the glass Not the table top may be mounted, having portionsw extendingrearwardly beyond the rear frame member 8| provided with openings, through which the upper ends of the longer uprights 15 extend, the openings being largeenough to provide a free sliding fit.

-The-bookrack comprises front and rear sides 82' and 33, secured to the rectangular frame, as shown in Fig. 21, and a bottom portion 84 to which the lower edges of the front and rear sides 82 and 83 of the bookrack are secured. The bottom 84 of the bookrack is provided with openings through which the extensions of the longer uprights 15 extend, the fit being such as to provide for free sliding movement. If desired reinforcing blocks 85 may be provided, fitting the underside of the extended frame portions 80 and fitting between the front and rear sides 82 and 83 of the bookrack.

The upper ends of the longer uprights 15 may be provided with thumb buttons 86 to facilitate raising and lowering the table top and bookrack. To raise the table top, the two thumbs may be placed on top of the two thumb buttons 86, respectively, and the fingers engaged underneath the frame of the table top so that by exerting gripping pressure the table top and bookrack may be raised to any desired adjusted position. The overhanging weight or the table top is sufiicient to hold it in any position to which it may be adjusted as it causes a binding action at the openings through which the upright extensions 15 pass.

If desired, the thumb buttons may be screwed onto the upper ends of the uprights 15 to enable the read detachment of the table top and the crosspieces I! and 81.

Further modifications will be apparent to. those skilled in the art and it is desired, therefore, that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A bookholder for resting on a horizontal supporting surface, comprising a body of relatively nonyielding material having a first substantially rectangular fiat book edge supporting surface and a second substantially rectangular fiat book cover supporting surface, said first surface extendin downwardly and rearwardly and having such an extent as to be engageable by the edges of the covers of a plurality of books placed thereon, and said second surface extending upwardly and rearwardly and having such an extent as to be engageable by the cover of the rear book and support the books in upwardly and rearwardly extending position, said body having a front transversely extending stop bar adjacent and extending upwardly above the front edge of said first flat supporting surface to prevent the lower edges of the books from slipping 01f said first surface and havin a transversely extending front leg adjacent and extending downwardly below the front edge of said first surface, and having a lower contact edge for engagement with said holder supporting surface, said body having a second transversely extending contact edge for engagement with said holder supporting surface, said second contact edge being located substan- 2,012,551 Steen' n Aug. 2'71, 1935 Thai ll'own efe f- 1 g r renees are ream 6 2,151,269 al-ant Mar,v21, 1939 tially adjacent the intersection of said. first and Number Name Date second surfaces, the entire holder between said 1,554,979 Dugan u n Sept.-'22,,1925 edges lying a, distance above the plane'of said 1,787,363 Fahnestock :Dec. 30, 1-930 edges. 113313 193 Bullock, July 7;, .1931 WILLARD .LcfioLLARD; 5,- l;942,456 Stark Jan. =9; 1934 r 37161 31 lLowenber-g, Oct. 9, 1934 REFERENCES CITE-D 2,001,139. Johnson .May 1-4, 1985- file" of this patent? .w .l .7 y 1.0 2,260,732 Andersonet' a1. Oct. 28, 19.41 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,388,711 Thompson Nov. 13,.1945 Number Name Date -2'-,4 Q.3 fi Hum-mele'iu Dec. 6, 7,1949 

